Press fitting for electrical conduit

ABSTRACT

A press fitting for an electrical conduit includes a fitting body and a press connector in a press-connection section of the fitting body to allow press-fit connection to a conduit. A conduit retainer in the press fitting releasably grips and removably retains the electrical conduit in the fitting body before the press-connection section is deformed radially inward during the press connection process. A socket in the press fitting has a cross-sectional diameter that tapers in a direction away from the press-connection section.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a press fitting for anelectrical conduit.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Electrical conduits are tubes used to protect and route electricalwiring in a building or other structure. Fittings for electricalconduits including, but are not limited to: box connecters used toconnect conduit to a junction or other electrical box; couplings, usedto connect pieces of electrical conduit to one another when installing arun of conduit; and conduit bodies (e.g., Condulets®) used to connectpieces of electrical conduit to one another to provide pulling access ina run of conduit, to allow more bends to be made in a particular sectionof conduit, to conserve space where a full size bend radius would beimpractical or impossible, and/or to split a conduit run into multipledirections.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, a press fitting for an electrical conduit generallycomprises a fitting body having first and second open ends, and aninterior surface defining a passage adapted to receive a piece of theelectrical conduit therein. The fitting body includes a press-connectionsection that is deformable radially inward during a press connectionprocess. A press connector is in the passage at the press-connectionsection of the fitting body. The press connector includes teeth adaptedto engage the piece of electrical conduit received in the passage whenthe press-connection section is deformed radially inward during thepress connection process. A conduit retainer is in the passage of thefitting body. The conduit retainer is configured to releasably grip andremovably retain the piece of electrical conduit in the fitting bodybefore the press-connection section is deformed radially inward duringthe press connection process.

In another aspect, a press fitting for an electrical conduit generallycomprises a fitting body having first and second open ends. The fittingbody includes a press-connection section that is deformable radiallyinward during a press connection process. A press connector is in thepress-connection section of the fitting body. The press connectorincludes teeth adapted to engage the piece of electrical conduitreceived in the fitting body when the press-connection section isdeformed radially inward during the press connection process. A socketin the fitting body apart from the press-connection section is adaptedto receive a piece of electrical conduit therein. At least a section ofthe socket has a cross-sectional diameter that tapers in a directionaway from the press-connection section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of an electrical conduitfitting constructed according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the fitting;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of a press connector of thefitting;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of a conduit retainer ofthe fitting;

FIG. 5 is a section of the conduit retainer taken in the plane definedby the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 2, but showing two pieces of straight,non-threaded conduit received in the fitting;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 2, but showing two pieces of NPT threadedconduit received in the fitting;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of another embodiment of a conduit retainer;

FIG. 9 is a cross section of another embodiment of an electrical conduitfitting constructed according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9, but showing two pieces of straight,non-threaded conduit received in the fitting;

FIG. 11 is a cross section of yet another embodiment of an electricalconduit fitting constructed according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, but showing two pieces of straight,non-threaded conduit received in the fitting;

FIG. 13 is a cross section of yet another embodiment of an electricalconduit fitting constructed according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13, but showing two pieces of straight,non-threaded conduit received in the fitting; and

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 13, but showing two pieces of NPT threadedconduit received in the fitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, the present disclosure relates to an electrical conduitpress fitting—such as but not limited to, a box connector, a coupling,and a conduit body—designed and constructed to be coupled to at leastone piece of electrical conduit by a press connection. The press fittingincludes at least one of, but not necessarily each of: a conduitretainer for retaining a piece of conduit in the press fitting beforepress connection; and an alignment structure for axially aligning apiece of conduit in the press fitting before press connection. In oneexample, the conduit retainer is designed and constructed to include thealignment structure to also perform the alignment function. In anotherexample, the alignment structure is separate from the conduit retainer.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of an electrical conduitfitting constructed according to the teachings of the present disclosureis generally indicated at reference numeral 10. In general, thiselectrical conduit fitting 10 is in the form of a coupling designed andconstructed to connect pieces of electrical conduit to one another wheninstalling a run of conduit. It is understood that the electricalconduit fitting may be of other types, including but not limited to abox connector and a conduit body, with the teachings set forth hereinwith respect to the illustrated coupling applying equally to other typesof conduit fittings that connect to a piece of electrical conduit bypress connection.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical conduit fitting 10includes a generally cylindrical fitting body 12 having opposing firstand second open ends 14, 16, and an interior surface 18 defining aninternal passage extending axially along a longitudinal axis LA of thefitting body between the first and second open ends thereof. A centraltransverse plane CP intersects the longitudinal axis LA at a generallyorthogonal angle at a mid-length of the body 12. The fitting body 12includes first and second press-connection sections 20, 22,respectively, adjacent the respective first and second open ends 14, 16,and a central portion 24 disposed between and interconnecting the firstand second press-connection sections 20, 22. The press-connectionsections 20, 22 have maximum inner and outer diameters that are greaterthan respective inner and outer diameters of the central portion 24. Thepress-connection sections 20, 22 have respective transition portionsthat step down to the decreased inner and outer diameters of the centralsection 24. The press-connection sections 20, 22 are deformable radiallyinward to press fit the fitting 10 on the piece of electrical conduit.The fitting body 12 may be formed from metal, such as aluminum, steel,or other metal. The fitting body 12 may be formed from other materials.

A press connector 28, a separator 30, and a gasket 32 are received ineach of the first and second press-connection sections 20, 22 of thefitting body 12. The first and second open ends 14, 16 may includecrimped or bent portions to 33 to retain the press connector 28, theseparator 30, and the gasket 32 in each of the first and secondpress-connection sections 20, 22, although the components may beretained in the fitting body 12 in other ways. Each of the pressconnector 28, the separator 30, and the gasket 32 are generallyring-shaped (e.g., have annular shapes) defining axial openings that aregenerally axially aligned and generally axially aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the fitting body 12. For each press connectionsection 20, 22, the corresponding press connector 28, separator 30, andgasket 32 are adjacent to one another, with the press connector beingaxially outward of the gasket relative to the central transverse planeCP and the separator 30 disposed axially between the press connector andthe gasket. As shown in FIG. 3, the press-connectors 28 may have an openor discontinuous ring shape. The separator 30 and the gasket 32 may alsohave this open or discontinuous ring shape.

Each press connector 28 includes a deformable annular body and barbs orteeth 36 (e.g., pairs or sets of barbs) extending radially inward andspaced apart from one another around the radially deformable body. Asexplained below, the teeth 36 are configured to engage and dig into apiece of conduit inserted into the fitting 10 during a press connectionprocess in which the annular connection body is radially deformed (e.g.,radially compressed) to connect the fitting to the piece of conduit. Thepress connectors 28 may be formed from metal and the teeth may be formedby punching operation or in other ways. Each gasket 32 makes a desiredand suitable gas and/or liquid tight seal with the piece of conduitinserted into the fitting 10 during the press connection process. Eachgasket 32 may be formed from a suitable polymer, such as rubber, orother material for making a desired and suitable gas and/or liquid tightseal with the piece of conduit inserted into the fitting during thepress connection process. Each separator 30 separates the correspondinggasket 32 and press connector 28 so that the press connector does notimpinge on the gasket during the press connection process. The separator30 may include an outer surface generally corresponding with an adjacentsurface of the gasket 32. The separator 30 may be formed from metal orother material. It is understood that in one or more embodiments, thefitting 10 may not include one or more of the gasket 32 and theseparator 30. Moreover, the press-connectors 28 may be of otherconfigurations for connection to the pieces of electrical conduit.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the electrical conduit fitting 10further includes two conduit retainers, each generally indicated atreference numeral 40, received in the passage of the fitting body 12(e.g., received in the central portion 24). In general, each conduitretainer 40 is configured to grip (e.g., releasably grip) and retain(e.g., removably retain) a piece of electrical conduit inserted in thefitting 10. The conduit retainer 40 is also configured to axially alignthe piece of electrical conduit within the fitting 10. It is understoodthat in other embodiments, the fitting may include one conduit retainer40 or more than two conduit retainers, depending on the type of fittingand its application. In another embodiment, the two conduit retainers 40may be combined into a single, one-piece component or otherwiseconnected to one another.

In the illustrated embodiment, the conduit retainers 40 are identical instructure and function. Each conduit retainer 40 includes a generallycylindrical or annular conduit retainer body 42 having first and secondopen longitudinal ends 44, 46, respectively, and an internal socket 48,extending axially along an axis A of the conduit retainer body betweenthe first and second open longitudinal ends. Each conduit retainer 40may have an open cylindrical or annular shape, as shown in FIG. 5, forexample. The conduit retainers 40 are received in the central portion 24of the fitting body 12 and are generally arranged in the fitting body 12as mirror images about the central transverse plane CP, as shown in FIG.2. In particular, the second longitudinal ends 46 of the conduitretainers 40 adjacent one another (e.g., abut) generally adjacent thecentral transverse plane CP. The axis of the socket 48 is generallyaligned with the longitudinal axis LA of the fitting body 12 and theopenings defined by the respective press connectors 28, the separators30, and the gaskets 32. The first open longitudinal end 44 of eachconduit retainer 40 has a flared diameter (e.g., flared inner and outerdiameter) sized and shaped to engage an internal shoulder of the fittingbody 12 intermediate the respective one of the first and secondpress-connection sections 20, 22 and the central portion 24. Eachconduit retainer 40 may be received in the fitting body 12 as a closeclearance fit and captured between the other retainer and thecorresponding gaskets 32 or may be received as a press or interferencefit. The axis A of the conduit retainer 40 is generally aligned (i.e.,coaxial) with the longitudinal axis LA of the fitting body 12. Theconduit retainers 40 may be attached to the fitting body 12, such as byadhesive or a mechanical fastener. For reasons explained below, aninternal conduit stop 50 at the second open longitudinal end is definedby an inner, annular curl. The conduit retainers 40 may be formed frommetal, such as aluminum or steel, or plastic, or other material.

For each conduit retainer 40, at least one detent (e.g., a plurality offirst and second detents 52 a, 52 b) extends radially inward from theconduit retainer body 42 and toward the axis of the body. In theillustrated embodiment, the conduit retainer 40 includes sets (e.g.,pairs) of the detents 52 a, 52 b, where the sets are spaced apart fromone another around the conduit retainer body 40. Each set includes oneof the first detents 52 a and one of the second detents 52 b. Thedetents 52 a, 52 b are deflectable (e.g., resiliently deflectable ordeformable) in a radially outward direction relative to the axis A ofthe conduit retainer body 42. The first detents 52 a have radialdimensions relative to the axis A that are less than the radialdimensions of the second detents 52 b. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, thefirst detents 52 a are generally aligned circumferentially and define afirst effective inner diameter d1 of the conduit retainer 40, and thesecond detents 52 b are generally aligned circumferentially and define asecond effective inner diameter d2 of the conduit retainer that is lessthan the first effective inner diameter. The first detents 52 a aregenerally adjacent the first longitudinal end 46 and the second detents52 b are more adjacent the second longitudinal end 48 so that theeffective inner diameter of the conduit retainer 40 tapers or decreasestoward the second longitudinal end. As illustrated, this taper is agenerally straight taper as shown in cross section; it is understoodthat in other embodiments the taper may be curviliner or other shapes incross section. It is understood that in other embodiments, the one ormore detents may define a uniform effective inner diameter that does nottaper. The illustrated detents 52 a, 52 b are integrally formed with theconduit retainer body 42, although the detents may be formed separateand attached to the conduit retainer body. As an example, the detents 52a, 52 b may be formed by a punching operation. The detents 52 a, 52 bmay be of other configurations, such as flaps, or barbs, or tabs, ornubs, or springs, or other structures capable of releasably gripping apiece of electrical conduit inserted into the fitting 10.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the detents are 52 a, 52 b are configured toapply a gripping force on a piece of electrical conduit (e.g., both anon-threaded and a threaded electrical conduit) inserted into thefitting 10 and to axially align or center the piece of the electricalconduit in the fitting. In particular, the piece of electrical conduitEC_(S), EC_(T) engages the detents 52 a, 52 b, causing the detents toresilient deflect (e.g., flatten). This resilient deflection imparts aspring-like gripping force on the piece of electrical conduit EC_(S),EC_(T) in the radial direction to hold the piece of electrical conduitin position in the fitting 10. This gripping force may be overcome byapplying sufficient withdrawal force on the piece of electrical conduitEC_(S), EC_(T) to remove the piece of electrical conduit from thefitting 10 if desired by the user. As can also be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7,the detents 52 a, 52 b center or axially align the piece of electricalconduit EC_(S), EC_(T) in the fitting 10 (e.g., axis LA of fitting 10 iscoaxial or parallel to axis P of conduit). Further, the illustrateddetents 52 a, 52 b allow the fitting 10 to be used with either theelectrical conduit EC_(S) having an longitudinal end portion with aconstant diameter (e.g., a non-threaded conduit) or the electricalconduit EC_(T) having a tapering longitudinal end portion (e.g., an NPTthreaded conduit). This is due to the taper of the effective innerdiameter defined by the different detents 52 a, 52 b. In otherembodiments, the detents 52 a, 52 b may not define a taper but maydefine a uniform effective inner diameter that does not taper.

In use, the conduit retainer 40 retains and centers the piece ofelectrical conduit EC_(S), EC_(T) to aid the user in forming the conduitrun, including checking lengths and arrangement of the run, beforeforming the permanent press connection. The stop 50 in the conduitretainer 40 also facilitates positioning the piece of electrical conduitEC_(S), EC_(T) within the fitting 10 so that the user knows depth atwhich the piece of conduit is inserted into the fitting (which alsoindicates the distance apart the two pieces of electrical conduit are inthe fitting). This maximum depth of insertion and/or distance betweenthe ends of the two pieces of electrical conduit EC_(S), EC_(T) can becommunicated to the user on the fitting body 12 or elsewhere. Thefitting 10 is press connected to the piece of electrical conduit EC_(S),EC_(T) using a press tool including jaws that radially press andmechanically deform the press connection sections 14, 16 of the fittingbody 12 in a radially inward direction such that the teeth 36 of thepress connector 28 engage and dig into the piece of electrical conduit.

Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of a conduit retainer, similarto the conduit retainer 40, is indicated at reference numeral 140.Unless described hereinafter, this conduit retainer 140 has the samecomponents and functions as the first conduit retainer 40, andtherefore, unless explicitly stated, the teachings set forth above withrespect to the first conduit retainer apply equally to this conduitretainer. Unlike the first conduit retainer 40, the conduit retainerbody 142 of the present conduit retainer 140 includes longitudinalstruts 141 extending between an interconnecting the first and secondopen longitudinal ends 44, 46. The struts 141 are spaced apart from oneanother around the axis A1 to define slot-shaped openings 143 betweenthe struts. Each strut 141 has one of the sets (e.g., pairs) of thefirst and second detents 152 a, 152 b. Each strut 141 and/or each detent152 a, 152 b is resiliently deflectable radially outward when the pieceof electrical conduit EC_(S), EC_(T) is inserted into the conduitretainer 140 to imparts a spring-like gripping force on the piece ofelectrical conduit in the radial direction to hold the piece ofelectrical conduit in position in the fitting 10, like the first conduitretainer 40. The conduit retainer 140 may be received in the fittingbody 12 in the same way as the conduit retainer 40.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of an electrical conduitfitting is generally indicated at reference numeral 210. Other than theconduit retainer 40, this fitting 210 includes identical component asdescribed above with respect to the first fitting 10. Accordingly, likecomponent are indicated by corresponding reference numerals.

The present fitting 210 includes at least one conduit retainer 240(e.g., two conduit retainers) configured to grip and retain (e.g.,removably retain) a piece of electrical conduit inserted into thefitting 10. Each of the illustrated conduit retainers 240 has agenerally annular or ring cross-sectional shape (e.g., an open ringshape) defining a socket 245 for receiving piece of electrical conduit.The opening 245 is generally axially aligned with the openings definedby the gasket 32, the separator 30, and the press connector 28,respectively. A minimum diameter d4 of the opening 245 is less thandiameters of the openings defined by the gasket 32, the separator 30,and the press connector 28, respectively. Each conduit retainer 240 isresilient and deflectable to impart a spring-like, releasable grippingforce on the piece of electrical conduit in the radial direction to holdthe piece of electrical conduit in position in the fitting 210, like thefirst conduit retainer 40. The conduit retainers 240 may be formed frommetal or plastic or other material. The conduit retainers 240 may becaptured between the fitting body 12 and the gasket 32 or may be coupledor otherwise fastened in the fitting body in other ways. In anotherexample, one or more separators 30 may include the conduit retainer. Forexample, the conduit retainer may be an integral component or structureof the separator 30 or may be otherwise connected to the separator.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, another embodiment of an electricalconduit fitting is generally indicated at reference numeral 310. Otherthan the conduit retainer 40 and the gasket 32, this fitting 310includes identical components as described above with respect to thefirst fitting 10. Accordingly, like components are indicated bycorresponding reference numerals.

Instead of a conduit retainer separate from the gasket, as taught by thefirst embodiment, the present fitting 310 includes gaskets 332 that alsofunction as conduit retainers configured to grip and retain (e.g.,removably retain) a piece of electrical conduit inserted into thefitting 10 in addition to its function as a gasket as set forth abovewith respect to the gasket 32. Each gasket 332 defines an opening 345having a reduced minimum diameter d5 that is less than the gasket 32.Each conduit retainer 332 is resilient and deflectable to impart aspring-like, releasable gripping force on the piece of electricalconduit in the radial direction to hold the piece of electrical conduitin position in the fitting 310, like the first conduit retainer 40. Thegasket 240 may be formed from plastic or other material.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15, another embodiment of an electrical conduitfitting is generally indicated at reference numeral 410. Other than thefitting body 12, this fitting 410 includes identical components asdescribed above with respect to the fitting 210 described in referenceto FIGS. 9 and 10. Accordingly, like components are indicated bycorresponding reference numerals. FIG. 13 illustrates the fitting 410 asincluding the conduit retainer 210, with the understanding that theconduit retainer 240 may be omitted without necessarily departing fromthe scope of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.Moreover, a different type of conduit retainer, such as a conduitretainer constructed according to the teachings of the conduit retainer40, may be utilized.

The present fitting 10 includes a fitting body 412 having a centralportion 424 with a non-uniform inner cross-sectional dimension (e.g., anon-uniform inner diameter) defining an internal socket 448. The outercross-sectional dimension (e.g., the outer diameter) is alsonon-uniform, although it may be uniform in some embodiments. Theinterior surface 418 of the central portion 424 of the fitting body 412includes: opposite first and second axially outer sections, 460, 462adjacent the respective first and second press-connection portions 20,22; first and second axially inner sections 464, 466, juxtaposed to oneanother and between the first and second axially outer sections; a firsttransition portion 468 disposed between and interconnecting the firstaxially outer section 460 and the first axially inner section 464; and asecond transition portion 470 disposed between and interconnecting thesecond axially outer section 462 and the first axially inner section466. (As used here, the terms “axially inner” and “axially outer” arerelative terms in reference to the center transverse plane CP.) Theillustrated embodiment shows the fitting body 412 as being formed as anintegral, one-piece component.

The axially outer sections 460, 462 each define generally uniform innerdiameter of the fitting body 412 is greater than an outer maximumdiameter of either one of the electrical conduit EC_(S) having anlongitudinal end portion with a constant diameter (e.g., a non-threadedconduit) or the electrical conduit EC_(T) having a tapering longitudinalend portion (e.g., an NPT threaded conduit). Accordingly, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, the pieces of electrical conduit EC_(S), EC_(T) areinsertable into the portions of the fitting body 412 defined by theaxially outer sections 460, 462. The axially outer sections 460, 462 mayfacilitate centering of the electrical conduit EC_(S).

The transition portions 468, 470 abruptly extend radially inward towardthe longitudinal axis LA to define shoulders (or stops) such that thetransitions portions define an inner diameter of the fitting body 412that is less than the inner diameter at the axially outer sections 460,462. As shown in FIG. 14, the minimum inner diameters of the fittingbody at the transition portions are less than the outer diameter of theelectrical conduit EC_(S) having an longitudinal end portion with aconstant diameter such that the piece of electrical conduit EC_(S)engages the transition portion 468, 470 and is inhibited from furtherinsertion toward the central transverse plane CP. The locations of thestops may be at a predetermined distance from the central transverseplane CP, which is communicated to the user, so that the user is awareof the spacing between the two pieces of electrical conduit when the twopieces are received in the fitting body 412.

The axially inner sections 464, 466 taper inward toward the longitudinalaxis LA from the respective transition portions 468, 470 to the centraltransverse plane CP. The taper of the axially inner sections 464, 466generally corresponds to the taper of the end of the NPT threadedconduit such that the axially inner sections center the NPT threadedconduit in the fitting body 412. The taper of the axially inner sections464, 466 may also inhibit the NPT threaded conduit from being insertedpast the central transverse plane CP. The interior surface 418 adjacentthe junction of the axially inner sections 464, 466 may be rounded orsmoothed to inhibit damaging electrical wires passing over the interiorsurface.

In other embodiments, an insert of the fitting body 412 may be used todefine the socket 448 having a non-uniform (e.g., tapering) crosssection. For example, inner diameter of the wall of the fitting body maybe uniform and an insert having a non-uniform, tapering inner diameterdefining the socket 448 may be inserted into the passage defined by thewall of the fitting body.

Each embodiment of the electrical conduits described herein may bedesigned and configured to meet the standards set forth in UL 514B.

Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the invention defined in theappended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s)thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”,“including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products,and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A press fitting for an electrical conduitcomprising: a fitting body having first and second open ends, and aninterior surface defining a passage adapted to receive a piece of theelectrical conduit therein, the fitting body including apress-connection section that is deformable radially inward during apress connection process; a press connector in the passage at thepress-connection section of the fitting body, the press connectorincluding teeth adapted to engage the piece of electrical conduitreceived in the passage when the press-connection section is deformedradially inward during the press connection process; and a conduitretainer in the passage of the fitting body, the conduit retainerconfigured to releasably grip and removably retain the piece ofelectrical conduit in the fitting body before the press-connectionsection is deformed radially inward during the press connection process,wherein the conduit retainer includes an internal stop configured toinhibit the piece of electrical conduit from extending past the internalstop.
 2. The press fitting set forth in claim 1, wherein the conduitretainer includes at least one detent adapted to engage the piece ofelectrical conduit in the fitting body to releasably grip and removablyretain the piece of electrical conduit in the fitting body.
 3. The pressfitting set forth in claim 2, wherein the at least one detent isresiliently deflectable upon engagement with the piece of electricalconduit in the fitting body.
 4. The press fitting set forth in claim 3,wherein the at least one detent includes a plurality of detents.
 5. Thepress fitting set forth in claim 4, wherein the conduit retainer has agenerally cylindrical shape having opposite first and second openlongitudinal ends, a longitudinal socket for receiving the piece ofelectrical conduit, and an axis extending through the longitudinalsocket between the first and second open longitudinal ends.
 6. The pressfitting set forth in claim 5, wherein the detents comprise first detentsand second detents, wherein the first detents define a first effectiveinner diameter of the conduit retainer, wherein the second detentsdefine a second effective inner diameter of the conduit retainer that isless than the first effective inner diameter.
 7. The press fitting setforth in claim 1, wherein the conduit retainer comprises an annular bodyreceived in the press-connection section of the fitting body.
 8. Thepress fitting set forth in claim 1, wherein the conduit retainercomprises a gasket received in the press-connection section of thefitting body and configured to form a seal with the piece of electricalconduit when the press-connection section is deformed radially inwardduring the press connection process.
 9. The press fitting set forth inclaim 1, wherein the conduit retainer includes a plurality of conduitretainers.
 10. The press fitting set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising a gasket in the press-connection section of the fitting bodyconfigured to seal with the piece of electrical conduit when thepress-connection section is deformed radially inward during the pressconnection process.
 11. The press fitting set forth in claim 10, furthercomprising a separator in the press-connection section of the fittingbody configured to separate the gasket and the press connector.
 12. Thepress fitting set forth in claim 1, wherein the conduit retainercomprises two conduit retainers arranged as mirror images about acentral transverse plane of the fitting body.
 13. The press fitting setforth in claim 1, further comprising: a socket in the fitting body apartfrom the press-connection section, the socket being adapted to receivethe piece of electrical conduit therein, wherein at least a section ofthe socket has a cross-sectional diameter that tapers in a directionaway from the press-connection section.
 14. The press fitting set forthin claim 13, wherein the socket has a uniform section adjacent thepress-connection section and having a uniform cross-sectional diameter,and a tapering section having a cross-sectional diameter that tapers.15. The press fitting set forth in claim 14, wherein the socket has atransition section disposed between and interconnecting the uniform andtapering sections, wherein the transition section defines a stop tolimit insertion of the piece of electrical conduit into the socket. 16.The press fitting set forth in claim 15, wherein the press-connectionsection has an inner cross-sectional diameter that is greater than theuniform cross-sectional diameter and the tapering cross-sectionaldiameter of the socket.
 17. The press fitting set forth in claim 14,wherein the socket is defined by the conduit retainer in the fittingbody.
 18. The press fitting set forth in claim 13, further comprising agasket in the press-connection section of the fitting body configured toseal with the piece of electrical conduit when the press-connectionsection is deformed radially inward during the press connection process.19. The press fitting set forth in claim 1, wherein at least a portionof the conduit retainer is disposed radially inward of the pressconnector.
 20. A press fitting for an electrical conduit comprising: afitting body having first and second open ends, and an interior surfacedefining a passage adapted to receive a piece of the electrical conduittherein, the fitting body including a press-connection section that isdeformable radially inward during a press connection process; a pressconnector in the passage at the press-connection section of the fittingbody, the press connector including teeth adapted to engage the piece ofelectrical conduit received in the passage when the press-connectionsection is deformed radially inward during the press connection process;and a conduit retainer in the passage of the fitting body, the conduitretainer configured to releasably grip and removably retain the piece ofelectrical conduit in the fitting body before the press-connectionsection is deformed radially inward during the press connection process;wherein the conduit retainer includes at least one detent adapted toengage the piece of electrical conduit in the fitting body to releasablygrip and removably retain the piece of electrical conduit in the fittingbody, wherein the at least one detent includes a plurality of detents,wherein the conduit retainer has a generally cylindrical shape havingopposite first and second open longitudinal ends, a longitudinal socketfor receiving the piece of electrical conduit, and an axis extendingthrough the longitudinal socket between the first and second openlongitudinal ends, wherein the detents comprise first detents and seconddetents, wherein the first detents define a first effective innerdiameter of the conduit retainer, and wherein the second detents definea second effective inner diameter of the conduit retainer that is lessthan the first effective inner diameter.